Volendam Panama Canal March 3, 2007

[MB MAN]

We have just returned from a wonderful 10 day cruise. Except for a small blip in my DW luggage by Delta, everything went like clock-work. We reported the lost luggage, left our mobile number, and they called us and told it would be delivered to the ship before we left port. Both of our cases were delivered prior to 3:00 PM. We had great weather except for Panama and Costa Rica were it rained, it is the rain forest, so we anticipated it. We received our 25 day pins and two more tiles. The shows were excellent.

The trip to Gatun Lake was a real eye-opener. I have always wanted to go, but had no idea that it was as narrow as it was. The Volendam barely had four inches on each side.

What a wonderful crew. Everyone was sooo friendly and helpful.
We arrived in FLL at 10:30 and were on the Lido by 11:30. We had shorts on our carry-on and changed in the airport, trying to add more sun time to our trip.

The last two days were very windy, but how can you complain when you have full sun and temperatures in the mid 80's.

The only surprise was the lack of "good shopping". There really isn't shopping available in either Colon or Limon. Nothing as compared to Cozumel or St. Thomas. I guess that is why they call it a Sunfarer Cruise.
It didn't make the DW very happy, but it sured saved the VISA.

Embarkation and disembarkation went off without a hitch.

Half-moon Cay, where we had the Yellow Cabana we will never forget. The water and sand were just georgeous. It would be a great place to spend the entire 10 days.

[jtl513]

Thanks for the review. DW and I are still debating whether we want to take Westerdam or the Volendam from FLL to SD in Apr '08. Were you in a balcony cabin? If yes, were you on your own balcony or out on the top deck for most of the canal transit? We can't decide if we want to spend the money for a balcony or not. :confused:

[haligonian37]

Thanks for the review! My friends and I will be on the exact cruise in less than 8 months (and the time isn't going by fast enough!), so it's always a reassurance to keep hearing good things about the Volendam and that itinerary. I booked this cruise less than a week after I returned home from my first ever cruise. I'd be interested to know if the dreaded post-cruise depression for you and your wife yet.

[Sundagger]

I'm going on the same cruise in less than 3 weeks, so it's good to hear that things are remaining as enjoyable as I've seen in previous reviews. One question (at the moment) - I've heard that you enter the canal very early in the AM. What is a good time to plan on getting going in the morning? I'm not usually an early riser, but I DO want to maximize the viewing time in the canal.

Glad to hear things went smoothly - except for the Delta problem - who I am taking to get to FLL also.

[jascruise]

Glad you enjoyed it.

We are on this cruise next month. Any specifics you could provide would make the wait more bearable (maybe).

Like the previous poster, we'd like to know what time we should be on deck to see the entry into the canal.

Was there a master chef's dinner? Any menu changes?

Thanks.

[MB MAN]

We had a Verandah Suite with the smaller balcony. We spent most of the time around the Aft pool for the sun and people watching. We took a few afternoon naps on the verandah and spent a few hours every night enjoying the weather and breezes. I really appreciated the flexibility of being able to step outside whenever we wanted. It also makes the cabin feel larger.

[MB MAN]

I'm going on the same cruise in less than 3 weeks, so it's good to hear that things are remaining as enjoyable as I've seen in previous reviews. One question (at the moment) - I've heard that you enter the canal very early in the AM. What is a good time to plan on getting going in the morning? I'm not usually an early riser, but I DO want to maximize the viewing time in the canal.

Glad to hear things went smoothly - except for the Delta problem - who I am taking to get to FLL also.

You enter the Panama Straights around 5:30 AM and the Panama Canal around 7:00. It was daylight as we entered the Canal. There are three sets of locks and I did not time it, but it took around two hours to get to Gatun Lake were we anchored until around 2:00 in the afternoon.

[gizmo]

Thanks for the review. I enjoyed it. :)

You mentioned Colon and Limon. I guess it depends on what you are shopping for.

I thought Colon was a dump and had very poor shopping.

I loved Limon. At the end of the pier there were so many vendors with some very nice wood carvings at reasonable prices. Some great coffee was also available.

[MB MAN]

I forgot to mention, that IMO the best place to view the Panama Canal is on the Navigation Deck Aft. The odd cabin numbers side all the way down the hallway to the Aft balcony gives a great view of the working locks.

[MB MAN]

Thanks for the review. I enjoyed it. :)

You mentioned Colon and Limon. I guess it depends on what you are shopping for.

I thought Colon was a dump and had very poor shopping.

I loved Limon. At the end of the pier there were so many vendors with some very nice wood carvings at reasonable prices. Some great coffee was also available.

How correct you are. Limon had a nice selection of homemade crafts and coffee and trinkets. I was hoping for more "duty free" items. There were not any "bargains" or availabiltiy for electronics, jewelry or quality items etc.

[Cruisin Kay D]

We're going on this trip too 10/24!

THANKS SO MUCH for posting -- have been watching eagerly to read threads like this!!! Sure hope others who were on your cruise or who are on the current one will post more comments!

Did you get off in Gatun Lake to go on the railroad trip or on the ferry through the other 3 locks?
If not, did you hear any comments from anyone that went on these excursions?

We did similar Canal cruise in 2000 on Crown Princess & I too marveled at how narrow the locks are -- how the ships barely fit!!

[MB MAN]

We're going on this trip too 10/24!

THANKS SO MUCH for posting -- have been watching eagerly to read threads like this!!! Sure hope others who were on your cruise or who are on the current one will post more comments!

Did you get off in Gatun Lake to go on the railroad trip or on the ferry through the other 3 locks?
If not, did you hear any comments from anyone that went on these excursions?

We did similar Canal cruise in 2000 on Crown Princess & I too marveled at how narrow the locks are -- how the ships barely fit!!

We really came on this cruise to rest and relax in the sun. My DW who talks and makes friends with everyone was talking to a lady that did the train crossing and just raved about it.

[Randyk47]

Highly recommend doing transit from the aft deck. We got up early and staked out a table right at the rail. Had breakfast and had a great view throughout the whole transit. On the way out we started in our cabin but even with a verandah right under the pool it was hard to see much so we moved to the Crow's Nest and had a nice trip back through the locks in air conditioned comfort.

[Memee]

Thanks for your review--we're doing this cruise in 4 weeks.:) I'd like to hear more about any excursions you might have taken. Also, I'm confused--is it better to stay on board the whole time you're in the Canal, or is there an advantage to getting off @ Gatun Lake and rejoining at Colon? Thanks for any info...

[konkrete kid]

My DH and I really enjoyed this cruise!!! We met so many interesting people and the ship was excellent in all aspects - food, service (although I did not like the 8:30 p.m. seating - too late) entertainment, etc.

Aruba - Did the Butterfly, etc. tour. My husband thought it was a good way to see the island which reminded us both of Arizona with rocky terraine and cactus. Others who took the snorkeling tour said it was excellent - they saw sea turtles, squid, octopus, etc.

Curacoa - Did the Canoe Safari and was a bit disappointed. The tour guide was a pleasant girl, but did not give us any info on the island during the 1/2 hour drive to the canoes. We were met at the dock (not a yacht club) by 2 young men who turned out to be Danish college students interning for a semester in Curacoa. Very pleasant young men (twins, aged 19) who didn't speak much english. They put us in canoes (2 people each canoe) which we paddled into an inlet for about 30 minutes, turned around and paddled back to the dock. No dissertation on the island or sealife - as there was none to see from the canoe. We then were driven a short distance to snorkel by a beach with a sunken tug boat - lots of beautiful, colorful fish. For the price charged, I would not recommend this tour ( I plan to let Holland America know this tour could use some improvements). Later, we walked into town, which is quaint, clean, friendly - some good shopping according to other cruisers.

Panama Canal- We left the Volendam in Gatun Lake after traversing the first set of locks; we were tendered to a dock, then bused to the a ferry to traverse the next two locks. This is truly an engineering marvel - but be prepared as it took all day to traverse the next two docks. Our smaller ferry had to wait for a larger vessel to go through the locks with us as the canal authority doesn't open the locks for such a small vessel. My husband thoroughly enjoyed this part of our trip and a very knowledgeable guide was on board to talk about the canal. Coming out on the Pacific Ocean side we were amazed to see the size of Panama City!!!! It looked as if we were coming into downtown Manhatten as there are many sky scapers and much development. There is a huge difference between Colon - poor, littered, many slums vs. Panama City - much cleaner, more wealth, etc. I would recommend this excursion for anyone wanting to get the full experience of the canal BUT it is not for children as they would be bored.

Costa Rica - what a treat!!!! We took the Tram/Rain Forest trip and enjoyed it immensely. You are truly into the rainforest. It is a 2 hour bus ride from the docks to the tram but you are accompanied by a very knowledgeable guide who gives you info about the people, history, economy, etc. We saw a Tucan, blue butterflies, orchids, frogs, cutter ants, etc. After the tram tour you are treated to a 40 minutes guided walk into the forest. Lunch is provided in an outdoor, roofed area - very pretty and the food was delicious. Some people who did the river trip said they saw howler monkies, sloths, alligators, etc. - much more wildlife than we saw.

The Costa Ricans are gracious, friendly, polite and I would definitely like to return for a vacation and visit the Pacific side of Costa Rica as we have been told by others who have visited, that this is the part of the country that has lots to offer (beautiful beaches, active volcano, lots of wildlife, etc.).

There were a couple nights of motion, but nothing much. The weather was great and we did not experience rain in either Panama or Costa Rica - I guess it depended on where your excursion took you if you got rained on (we stayed dry!).

No problems with embarking or disembarking - HAl has their act together. After speaking to several different passengers, my DH and I have decided that Alaska will be our next HAl trip!

Konkrete Kid

[Cruisin Kay D]

GREAT COMMENTS!!!! Thanks so much for the review!!!!

[Memee]

Konkrete kid--Thanks for the review. Did you book your excursions thru Hal or thru other groups?

[bluenose2]

I was on this cruise also. This was my first cruise and rest assured it will not be my last, I'm already looking into next year's. The dining at the Rotterdam was fabulous. Eddy, Soonah, Joel and Holly our dining room waiters and wine steward were great and I hope that if you go on this cruise you end up with these jovial and very efficient persons, it just made us look forward to going every night. The food was fabulous. We went horseback riding in Costa Rica and ended up zip lining in the rain forest (this was sooooo much fun) and we met very nice people on this excursion.

We did our own excursions in Aruba and Curacao and these went well. Half Moon Cay was out of this world and we took the cruise excursion to Panama City.

On board things went very well. Now were back home and just waiting for the snow storm to begin--Ah well makes us all look forward to another cruise next year

[konkrete kid]

I used HAL to book excursions. Even though I have read on these boards you can save money booking on line or when you arrive in port though local vendors, just feel more comfortable using the ship. Oh, I forgot to mention that we stopped in Half Moon Key and it is a gorgeous place to swim and relax. We did not book an excursion as there is not much to see on the island, but we did very much enjoy the day. We rented a cabana ($14 for 2) and would suggest strongly that anyone else do this as the sun is very hot!!!!!

Konkrete Kid

[billsrobb]

I used HAL to book excursions. Even though I have read on these boards you can save money booking on line or when you arrive in port though local vendors, just feel more comfortable using the ship. Oh, I forgot to mention that we stopped in Half Moon Key and it is a gorgeous place to swim and relax. We did not book an excursion as there is not much to see on the island, but we did very much enjoy the day. We rented a cabana ($14 for 2) and would suggest strongly that anyone else do this as the sun is very hot!!!!!

Konkrete Kid


Are you sure about the price for a cabana? I read where the price was like $214 for a Cabana....

Robb

[dmklx582]

Glad you enjoyed it.

We are on this cruise next month. Any specifics you could provide would make the wait more bearable (maybe).

Like the previous poster, we'd like to know what time we should be on deck to see the entry into the canal.

Was there a master chef's dinner? Any menu changes?

Thanks.
Wife and I also on the Mar. 3rd Volendam. We entered the Gatun Locks at 7:21 a.m. according to the ship's log. We then re-entered them on the return at 1:03 pm.
There was a master chef's dinner and it was excellant. There was one dinner surprise in that they added a third formal night on the 9th evening. All of our docs said two so we showed up on the last one with jacket and tie--no formal studded shirts left by that time.
We ate in dining room each night and something different each time. Went to Pinnacle once.
Booked early or 2nd seating but got late seating. All attempts to change failed. That was a downer for us cause we didn't get out of dining room until 10:30 pm most nights. We were told that to get a guaranteed early seating you have to book 9 months in advance ( We booked 5 months) or be booked in a suite. (we were not).

[dmklx582]

Are you sure about the price for a cabana? I read where the price was like $214 for a Cabana....

Robb
Cabana is $249.00 Umbrella for two is 14.00

[jascruise]

Wife and I also on the Mar. 3rd Volendam. We entered the Gatun Locks at 7:21 a.m. according to the ship's log. We then re-entered them on the return at 1:03 pm.
There was a master chef's dinner and it was excellant. There was one dinner surprise in that they added a third formal night on the 9th evening. All of our docs said two so we showed up on the last one with jacket and tie--no formal studded shirts left by that time.
We ate in dining room each night and something different each time. Went to Pinnacle once.
Booked early or 2nd seating but got late seating. All attempts to change failed. That was a downer for us cause we didn't get out of dining room until 10:30 pm most nights. We were told that to get a guaranteed early seating you have to book 9 months in advance ( We booked 5 months) or be booked in a suite. (we were not).



The 3rd formal night--did that replace the informal night or one of the casuals? (It almost seems more logical to have the 3rd formal rather than have to pack a jacket for only one night.)

[billsrobb]

Cabana is $249.00 Umbrella for two is 14.00

Thanks. I thought that was the case.

Robb

[auntpam]

Hi! My family and I will be getting on the Volendam ths Friday heading to the Panama Canal!!! I would like to know what the ferry is like that we will be going on very soon. Is is covered, any indoor parts? Is there food available? How about the restrooms? On the return trip by bus did you stop at all, if so where? You are right about Half Moon Cay, we can't wait to get there Saturday! We were there last May and we love it! I am glad to hear that they added a third formal night, we are packing for it! Thanks for any info. you can give. VOLENDAM hear we come this Friday!!!!!!:)

[MB MAN]

The 3rd formal night--did that replace the informal night or one of the casuals? (It almost seems more logical to have the 3rd formal rather than have to pack a jacket for only one night.)
It replaced an informal night. We had 3 Formal and 1 informal.

[DFD1]

Perhaps it was a clamshell. They work well for two people and used to go for $10.00 for the day. We always try and get one.

[lyndtv]

We took theis cruise at the end of January and loved it. I went horseback riding at Half Moon Cay. The on land ride was very tame- walk only. The in the sea ride was wonderful. My horse liked the water!
In Aruba we walked around the town shopping area and then took a public bus to the beach. I've never seen sand quite like the sand in Aruba. We took a half day tour in Curacao- very good guide. We saw a lot of the island and culture.
We stayed on ship in Panama- the arrival at the Canal was very early- it was still dark. the Panama rolls served on deck were very good. By the time we were actually in the canal it was light. Several people we met took the tour to the Indian Village and enjoyed it. Some raved about the trip to Panama City. Colon is a bit scary. The shopping area was heavily guarded and the ship strongly advised passangers not to leave the area.
We took the Rain Forest Tram Tour. Limon is very poor and depressed. The forest was about 2 1/2 hours from the port. We had a gret driver and guide. On the way back they drove us into a banana plantation to watch the harvest and then stopped at a roadside stand and bought bananas for all on the bus to try. Very small and sweet. It rained most of the day. When we got back to the port the driver drove us right to the gangway. We had ridden the zip line in Kauai and loved it. It wasn't offered thru HAL in Costa Rica. The ship was lovely and the crew was great.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for your report.

[bepsf]

Thanks for all your reports - looking forward to going in November!